A Fox News Voter Poll of over 4,700 registered voters in New York City has provided significant insights into the reasons behind Democrat Zohran Mamdani’s resounding victory in the mayoral election. The poll indicates that his campaign for a new direction resonated deeply with a broad and diverse coalition of New Yorkers, particularly young voters and those from racially diverse backgrounds. Mamdani, who will become one of the youngest mayors in the city, was supported by over three-quarters of voters under the age of 30, demonstrating a strong appeal to younger demographics. This group formed the cornerstone of his victory, as older voters, especially seniors, leaned heavily towards former Governor Andrew Cuomo, resulting in a clear generational divide in the race.
The poll further highlights Mamdani’s broad support across racial groups, with the strongest backing from Black and Asian voters. The race was closer among Hispanic voters, who ultimately preferred Mamdani by a narrow margin. Cuomo, despite losing White voters by a small margin, was able to retain some support through a boost in favor from White male voters. Additionally, Mamdani was favored among voters with college degrees, while those without a college education largely supported Cuomo. These findings underscore the influence of educational attainment on voting patterns and indicate a shift in political alignment within certain demographic groups.
Political analysts have noted the significant role of the Democratic Party’s far-left flank in Mamdani’s success, with two-thirds of Democrats aligning with him over Cuomo. This alignment suggests a growing influence of progressive and socialist ideas within the Democratic Party, particularly among younger and more educated voters. The impact of national political figures, such as former President Donald Trump, was also evident, as his final-minute endorsement of Cuomo influenced many Republican voters to gravitate towards the independent candidate rather than the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa.
The poll also revealed a notable divide among Jewish voters, with a clear generational split. Approximately half of Jewish voters under 45 supported Mamdani, while about 70% of those over 45 backed Cuomo. This demographic split reflects the complex interplay of generational values and political priorities within the Jewish community. Furthermore, the survey found that most New Yorkers felt the candidates’ stances on Israel were a factor in their decision-making process, with about half of Jewish voters citing it as a major influence in their vote.
Local issues such as affordability and housing costs were central to the campaign, with approximately 60% of voters identifying these as the most pressing concerns facing the city. Mamdani’s platform, which emphasized affordability and rent stabilization, resonated strongly with these voters, drawing substantial support from renters and those affected by the rising cost of living. In contrast, voters who prioritized crime concerns primarily supported Cuomo, indicating that local economic and housing challenges were the primary drivers of the election outcome.
The survey methodological approach, conducted by SSRS, combined data from a variety of sources, including online and telephone surveys with in-person data collected at election precincts. The final results were adjusted to reflect the estimated composition of the city’s electorate and weighted to align with state-wide results. With a margin of error estimated at ±2.1 percentage points, the poll provides a reliable snapshot of the election outcome and voter priorities.
Overall, the poll highlights a significant shift in the political landscape of New York City, driven by the appeal of a young, diverse coalition under a self-described democratic socialist candidate. The findings underscore the growing influence of progressive policies and the shifting priorities of voters in a major metropolitan area.